Course Overview and Policies

Course Introduction

This course, BIO 101, provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of biology and chemical biology. It is designed for college students beginning their study of the life sciences.

• Instructor: Dr. Mauro Fa

• Contact: University email (see syllabus for details)

• Office Hours: In-person (CIVIC W206A) or via Zoom

Attendance and Academic Integrity

• Lecture Attendance: Suggested but not mandatory

• Laboratory Attendance: Mandatory; more than 3 absences may result in academic consequences

• Plagiarism and Academic Integrity: Strictly enforced; violations result in automatic zero and mandatory reporting

• Use of AI Tools: Not permitted in writing-intensive coursework

Course Materials and Exams

• Textbook: As indicated in the syllabus

• Other Materials: Announcements, lectures, handouts, and lab materials

• Exam Content: All lecture content is testable; additional textbook material may also be included

• Missed Exams: Only excused for valid, documented reasons (e.g., medical, with doctor's note)

Strategies for Success

• Attend class and stay engaged

• Write your own study notes regularly

• Focus on understanding concepts, not just memorization

• Learn definitions, concepts, diagrams, and graphs

Foundations of Science

What is Science?

Science is best defined as a process—a methodical practice of pursuing answers to questions. The knowledge collected through this process is also considered science. This process is often called research.

• Science is not: Just a body of knowledge, a set of facts, or a collection of laws and formulas

• Science is: A systematic method for investigating the natural world

The Nature of Scientific Research

• Experimentation: Manipulating variables to determine causal relationships

• Description: Systematic observation and cataloging of natural systems

• Comparison: Observing different groups to determine relationships between variables

• Modeling: Creating representations (physical, conceptual, or computer-based) to explain and predict phenomena

Scientific Language and Communication

• Clear, precise language is essential for communicating scientific findings

• Overly simplified or imprecise language can lead to misunderstanding and misinformation

Key Scientific Terms and Concepts

Definitions

• Hypothesis: A tentative, testable explanation for an observed phenomenon. Must be specific, based on observations, and falsifiable.

• Theory: A broad, unifying explanation for a wide range of observations, supported by extensive evidence from multiple fields.

• Law/Principle: A statement describing a consistent, universal relationship, often mathematical, observed in nature.

Examples

• Theory: Theory of Evolution, Cell Theory, Theory of Relativity

• Law: Newton's Laws of Motion, Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance, Law of Gravity

Comparisons

• Theory vs. Hypothesis: Both are testable and based on data, but theories are broad and unifying, while hypotheses are narrow and specific.

• Theory vs. Law: Laws describe relationships (often mathematically); theories explain why those relationships exist.

The Scientific Method

Overview

The scientific method is a logical approach to investigating questions and testing hypotheses. While often presented as a linear sequence, real scientific research is more complex and iterative.

• Observation → Question → Hypothesis → Experiment/Data Collection → Analysis → Conclusion

• Descriptive science may not follow this linear model

Data Collection Standards

• Validity: The degree to which a measurement reflects the true value

• Reliability: The consistency of measurements across trials

Experimental Design and Ethics

Experimental Controls and Variables

• Positive Control: Known to produce a result

• Negative Control: Known not to produce a result

• Independent Variable: The condition being tested

• Dependent Variable: The measured outcome

• Replication: Repeating experiments to ensure consistency

• Verification: Ensuring results can be replicated by others

Ethics in Research

• Peer Review: Scientific claims must be scrutinized by the scientific community

• Skepticism: Only empirical evidence can be used to evaluate scientific claims

• New ideas are considered tentative until a broad consensus is reached

Characteristics of Living Organisms

Basic Properties

• Composed of one or more cells

• Require energy and metabolize

• Grow and respond to stimuli

• Adapt and reproduce

Cell Theory

• Cells are the basic units of life

• All living things are made of cells

• Cells arise from pre-existing cells

Biological Classification

• Hierarchical system: Domain, Kingdom, etc.

• Three domains: Bacteria, Archaea, Eukarya

• Kingdoms include: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists

Introduction to Chemical Biology

Matter and Elements

• Matter: Anything that takes up space

• Element: Pure substance made of one type of atom; cannot be broken down by chemical means

• 25 elements are essential to life; 96% of biomass is made of O, C, H, N

• Compound: Two or more different elements chemically combined in a fixed ratio

Atomic Structure

• Atom: Smallest unit of matter retaining element properties

• Subatomic particles: Proton (+, mass = 1 Da), Neutron (0, mass = 1 Da), Electron (−, mass ≈ 0 Da)

• Atomic Number: Number of protons

• Mass Number: Number of protons + neutrons

Electron Configuration

• Electrons occupy energy levels (shells)

• Valence electrons (outermost shell) determine chemical properties

• Atoms are most stable when their valence shell is full (octet rule)

Chemical Bonding

• Covalent Bond: Sharing of valence electrons between atoms; forms molecules

• Ionic Bond: Transfer of electrons from one atom to another; forms ions and salts

• Polar Covalent Bond: Electrons are shared unequally due to differences in electronegativity

• Non-polar Covalent Bond: Electrons are shared equally

Weak Chemical Bonds

• Hydrogen Bond: Weak attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom and a slightly negative atom (e.g., oxygen in water)

• Van der Waals Forces: Weak, transient attractions due to temporary charge fluctuations

Importance of Water

• Water covers 70–75% of Earth's surface; 70–95% of cells are water

• Polarity allows hydrogen bonding, leading to unique properties:

  • Cohesion

  • Moderation of temperature

  • Ice floats

  • Excellent solvent for polar substances

Table: Comparison of Key Scientific Terms

Key Equations

• Atomic Number:

• Mass Number:

Summary

• Science is a process of inquiry and discovery, not just a collection of facts

• Understanding the scientific method, experimental design, and key biological concepts is essential for success in biology

• Mastery of foundational chemical principles is crucial for understanding biological systems